Last Friday, the Nigerien Foreign Ministry requested Itte to leave the country within 48 hours. Paris said it had taken note of Niger's request, but believes military leadership have no authority to make such decisions.
French President Emmanuel Macron said Monday that Itte would remain in Niger despite the rebels' demands.
"The ... decision to order France's ambassador out of the country is a new provocation that will not contribute to finding a diplomatic settlement of the current crisis. The European Union expresses its full support for France's ambassador," the EEAS said in a statement.
The EU will never recognize the military leadership's government in Niger, the statement also read.